Sunday 27 December 2015

Dom Perignon 2006

This Christmas, I decided to treat myself to some nice wines to share with my parents for our Boxing Day Lunch (celebrating Christmas 1 day late is the norm, as I always seem to be in a job that requires working Christmas Day).

To go with the canapés (Pringles), we enjoyed Dom Perignon Champagne, this years release - 2006. This sees the first time in their 90 year history that 5 consecutive vintages have been made, a nod to the wine industries ever improving techniques in vinification and viticulture.



Dom Perignon is produced by the Moet and Chandon Champagne house in Epernay, and named after a Benedictine Monk who played an important role is the quality of Champagne. Born in 1638, he was the Cellar Master at the Benedictine Abbey in Hautvillers. He pioneered a number of winemaking techniques, including the blending of grapes to improve quality of wines, making white wine out of black grapes, introduce corks (instead of using wood) and to use thicker glass bottles to strengthen them with the pressure from Champagne inside.
The Dom Perignon Champagne was the first prestige cuvee Champagne produced, an idea from the Englishman Laurence Venn, with the aim to produce a higher quality Champagne intended for English Aristocracy. The first vintage was in 1921, and only released in 1936.
It's always a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, around 50% normally. It ages beautifully well, a truly great Champagne and worth the £££.
The 2006 vintage saw a generally warm and dry growing season, harvest began in September and lasted 4 weeks!

Nose; Complex and rich, floral and fruity notes of green apple, pears...going into savoury biscuit and toasted notes.
Palate; Feels quite tight on the palate, a really delicious mouthfeel and tastes just about ready, but you know it will just get better and better. A delicious mousse; the bubbles seem so delicate, and marry the high mineral flavours well.
A great richness comes through first, then in come the fruit notes - pear, apples some peachy notes. A great long finish.

This wonderfully rich Champagne would go with food very well, I'd suggest more delicate flavours..maybe a light scallop dish, a few slices of smoked salmon maybe (it went great with the Pringles though).
Don't drink too cold! Most people like their white wine absolutely freezing, this would just cover up the complex and rich flavours - muting the wine. Take it out of the fridge 10 minutes before hand and you'll be fine, the enjoy!

“Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking it.” Madame De Pompadour



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